this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; WACO — New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said he doesn’t blame Texas or Texas A&amp;M for not recruiting him out of Austin Westlake during his senior year.
Brees said he didn’t even think he’d start in high school and ...

WACO — New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said he doesn’t blame Texas or Texas A&M for not recruiting him out of Austin Westlake during his senior year.

Brees said he didn’t even think he’d start in high school and felt fortunate to land at Purdue after he tore his ACL late in his junior season.

More than 15 years after he led Westlake to a state title, Brees was among seven members inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2012 at the Ferrell Center.

All eyes were on Brees because former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal was unable to attend the ceremony because he had to fly to California to take care of a family matter.

Brees said he was going to be the backup junior varsity quarterback at Westlake his sophomore year. He was behind Jonny Rodgers, younger brother of Jay Rodgers, a star who had gone on to Indiana and son of Randy Rodgers, then in charge of recruiting for John Mackovic’s staff at Texas.

Brees said he told his mother that he was going to quit football to pursue baseball.

“I said, ‘Mom, I don’t think I’m ever going to get a chance to play football because Jonny’s the stud and I’ll never beat him out,’” Brees said. “She said, ‘Just keep working hard and your opportunity will come.’

“A week later, it’s unfortunate, but Jonny Rodgers tore his ACL in the final scrimmage at Killeen. So all of a sudden I was thrust into the starting quarterback position and I never gave it up.”

Even though he led Westlake to a state title in 1996, the Longhorns and the Aggies didn’t offer a scholarship.

Brees said he wanted to go to A&M. That’s where his father, Chip, had played basketball. At the time, Shawn Slocum was the Aggies’ recruiting coordinator and he’s now Green Bay’s special teams coach. Brees said he’s had the chance to be around Slocum the last two years because Green Bay’s staff has coached the Pro Bowl.

“Certainly there are no hard feelings. I probably wouldn’t have recruited myself either. A 6-foot quarterback coming off a knee injury, not impressive physical traits necessarily.”

Williams enjoying retirement: Former Texas running back Ricky Williams, who won the 1998 Heisman Trophy with the Longhorns, said he’s enjoying the retired life after playing in the NFL from 1999 to 2011.

Williams, who lives in Austin, said he’s been traveling — recently visiting New Zealand.

“I tell people the value of being retired is you get to do whatever you want,” Williams said.

Williams said he considered getting into coaching.

“Every time I consider it, I go and sit in a meeting and I can’t stay awake,” he said.

Garrison a crowd favorite: Walt Garrison, who was a running back for the Cowboys from 1966 to 1974, entertained the crowd during his four-minute speech. Garrison played high school football at Lewisville before playing at Oklahoma State.

Garrison said he still ropes but has given up steer wrestling after five knee surgeries. He didn’t have fond memories of his high school football days.